Step 6: Finishing Touches

This is a great and fun to play instrument. I will give you simple instructions to follow so that you too can build your own unique instrument. On mine, there are 3 octaves, plus an extra C. If you plan everything right, it can be easy to build. Special thanks to Snubby J who first inspired me to build one. I used ABS pipe even though I called it a PVC instrument.

Step 2: The "Keyboard"

I used 2 2x4's cut to about 6 feet to make my keyboard. One section was used for the sharps and flats while the other was used for the natural notes. Use the 2 1/2" bore to cut the holes for the pipes. On small gaps, the centers of the holes should be 3 1/2" apart. On the larger gaps, 6 1/2" apart. If starting on a C, space the holes correctly as shown in the picture.

Step 3: Building the Base

The size of your base will depend on how many notes you choose to use. Mine ended up being a little more than six feet wide. With the two keyboard sections, I created two tiers, placing the one with the sharps and flats on top. For comfortable playing, your bottom tier should be as high as your hand when you have your arm bent at a 90 degree angle. I installed castor wheels on mine to make it more portable, to do this, I had to put 2 2x4's side by side on each side of the base so that there was a wide enough space for the wheels. Where the wheels were placed, it is extended out so the instrument does not easily topple.

Step 4: Paddles

My paddles were purchased online but you can make your own. You need to get closed cell, dense foam similar to the foam used in flip flops, but flip flops are a little more dense than what I have. You can cut up and use the foam from flip flops. Whatever you decide to use, attach it to some sort of wooden dowel or anything you can find that would work. Experiment with the paddles until you find what you like.

Step 5: Assembling the Pipes

This is one of the trickiest parts of the whole process. The pipes will hang by the couplings, the pipe is small enough to pass through the hole, but the coupling is too large to pass through. As you add more notes, you will have to add turns to the pipes so you have enough room. Once a note is installed, use the tuner to fine tune it, making minor adjustments to do so. I recommend starting from the bottom because the notes get shorter as you move up. My lowest note was about 8 feet long, which required it to go down, travel across the instrument, then go forward. My highest note was around 1 foot long.

I got an equation from nate true that will give you the length of the pipe you need when you plug in the frequency: Tube Length (in) = (13300/(2*Frequency))+(Tube Diameter/2)

For the frequencies of the notes in the range of the piano go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piano_key_frequencies
My low note was number 16 (C2) in the list on the wikipedia page.

Remember, if a note is too sharp, it is too short. If it is too flat, it is too long.

Step 6: Finishing Touches

You do not need to glue every single joint. The best places to glue would be at the couplings or anywhere a joint is bearing weight. When not glued, notes can fall off while playing. This becomes very annoying! You might also want to consider installing something to hold your paddles when you are not playing.

Cardboard tubes would wear out really fast because you have to hit them over and over. As for the length of pipe, use this equation provided by Nate True Tube Length (in) = (13300/(2*Frequency))+(Tube Diameter/2)

If you are going to build an instrument with the same proportions as mine and to compensate for any mistakes you might make, you should expect to buy at least 120 feet of pipe. Many times I accidentally cut a pipe too short and had to cut out a new one. I know it sounds like a lot but it all fits in there. I bought mine in 20 foot lengths and they aren't too expensive. Let me know if you have any more questions, and how your instrument turns out. Good luck!

Amazing instrument, thanks for the instructions! I just have 2 questions, if you don't mind; 1: What did you use to fine-tune the PVC pipes? 2:where did you get those gorgeous paddles? Thank you for your time!

To fine tune each note, I just used a digital tuner which basically just tells you if you're sharp, flat, or right on. You can get one at pretty much any music store. You can also download a tuner app to an iphone or iPod. As for the paddles, I purchased them from snubbyj. If you have watched PVC instrument videos on youtube, you have probably seen one of his. I just emailed him and asked him about his paddles. If you don't want to buy any, you can make your own too, just experiment with different types of soft materials. Let me know if you have any more questions.

Actually, what I was wondering is, when you fine-tuned, did you approximately chop out pieces of tubes, or did you use some kind of sand-paper to be really precise? Thanks again P.S. I might have other questions when I actually start building :)

I mostly used just the pipe cutter, at the scale of this instrument using sandpaper would not make a big enough difference for even the digital tuner to notice. If you want to make a small change just cut off around a quarter inch.

I am going to help my son build one of these instruments. Is there any way you could upload some more detailed photos of the wooden frame. Maybe a side view and details showing the center support. Thanks!

My instrument has 3 octaves. So far, that has worked for me in most songs. 2 octaves would be cutting a little close and would limit you. 4 octaves would be ideal but would require a lot more work and money. Unless you have the time and money, I would recommend starting with 3 octaves.

If you choose you may also add extra notes to even things out. My instrument actually has 3 octaves plus 1 note so I have a C as my top and bottom notes.

Let me know if you have any more questions. I also want to know how your instrument turns out.

Mine ended up costing about $200-$300. Because of my lack of money though, it took me about 6 months to build. You can make a simpler a cheaper model though by having less notes and a cheaper base. Where I live, the pipe cost about $6 for ten feet. Lumber costs about $4-$6 depending on what size you get.